Movie Review - 36-15 code Père Noël [1989/France]

Finally! My second IMDb movie review (following 2013 "sharkploitation" TV flick Avalanche Sharks) - the 1989 Christmas thriller 36-15 code Père Noël from France. Like the former review, I thought I'd share this one here as well. Though more to add content to the blog than for the sake of readers. *crickets* oꞈọ

I can't remember if I actually checked the spoiler box when I submitted this to IMDb, but when it showed up it had the "may contain spoilers" warning at the top. Though, in my opinion, the closest thing to a spoiler (in the last sentence) barely counts. Well, here we go...

I looked everywhere for this film before finding it on YouTube. No sub-titles, and my french is rusty (Maritime Canadian french, at that), but it's not very dialogue heavy. I also found a Spanish dub on YouTube, since the video cut off before the very, very end. There was only 30 seconds left and then the credits, accompanied by "Christmas" by Bonnie Tyler. (Best known for "Total Eclipse of the Heart" and apparently very popular in France.)

The hair, fashion and technology seen in the film is quite dated, the last of which is most notable since it is a key element to the character of "Thomas". The miniatures used for the mansion were lacking, and some of the set pieces were a little weak or odd. But the direction and cinematography was very good, as were the performances by the boy, grandfather and "Santa". In fact, I don't recall a middling performance by anyone in the film.

This is a good example of a film that would be perfect for a remake due to the dated look and weak set pieces. The most difficult thing to replicate, however, would be how believable the characters acting and dialogue is, even in such an unlikely scenario. Despite trying to be as gung-ho as his movie idol "John Rambo" while trying to protect "Papi" and himself, the film gives us a wonderful look at how truly afraid he really is. Which makes him all the more brave as he stays proactive throughout the ordeal.

The only thing I'm really disappointed about, aside from the fact that this film has never been given a DVD release, is that that the IMDb cast list in incomplete. As listed in the end credits, the dog (listed as "J.R." I believe) was played by Canaillou. Oh! And this film, despite being more of a thriller and some characters actually meeting their end, is actually much less violent than Home Alone.

Hope you enjoyed the review, since your options for seeing the film are very limited. Though I read that there may be a DVD/Blu-ray release in 2016. There's no image for the film on IMDb, so here's the original poster in all its late-80s glory ...

Wait? Didn't I just say it's never been released on DVD? Well, I guess I was wrong. However, I have no idea when this DVD was released and if it's still available. And a quick search of Amazon and eBay only found the soundtrack, posters and one, lonely VHS tape.

While this sleeve is in french, it's from LK-Tel Video, a company from Argentina (I believe). There is a Spanish dub, as evidenced by my review, and I've read there's a german dub. My online wanderings have shown me german covers/posters for the film, but I've yet to see one in english.

Anyhoo...

IMDb Review - Avalanche Sharks [2013]

For some reason, when I made my initial Blogger post about the 2013 "sharksploitation" flick Avalanche Sharks, I totally forgot about my Internet Movie Database review of the film from February 20, 2014. I've now deleted that old post, which was nothing more than a few random thoughts, and in it's place I give you that review. (Which happens to be my only IMDb review to date.) Enjoy!

Very fun, tongue-in-cheek, low-budget but competent production! 8/10 stars

Christopher-J Carlson (February 20, 2014)

Seeing this film with only 2 stars on IMDb made me sad. Sure, this isn't a film that most will mention in the same breath as most big-budget wide-releases, but this film was, unlike too many of those films, truly enjoyable from beginning to end! The film-makers and actors knew their limitations - technical and personal - and with tongues planted firmly in cheek, gave viewers a more than competent production that kept my attention at the way through and left me more that satisfied when over.

The script, direction and acting were decent all-around, and I can't recall any specific scene in the film that suddenly took me out of the story. Nothing seemed forced and nobody seemed to be trying to go above their means.

While the CGI special-effects are what they are - CGI - the film-makers smartly decided to limit its use, with the effects either ending abruptly or the scenes cutting away quickly. Most of these scenes are shark attacks after all, which would naturally be quick and abrupt.

Some people have problems with films not explaining enough about certain things. In this case, viewers are given two possibilities as to the origins of the titular sharks. But, do we really need everything to be explained to us (especially in a movie like this) to enjoy a film? Questions can lead to debate after all and, in my opinion, can add extra layers to a film. And this is a film that most would not expect to have much substance to begin with. (The last big-budget film I saw at the cinema left me with nothing to think about when it was over. Duh...)

I really liked how they framed the beginning and end of the film. Original, funny, and a nice change of pace from most films. This production truly impressed me, and I look forward to what all the people involved bring to movie lovers in the future.

Give this film a chance. Don't go into it expecting anything in particular (my advice for seeing any film - big or small) and you'll likely find yourself pleasantly surprised by how much more FUN you'll have.

P-S. Apparently, Brooke Hogan was up for a role in this film but had to step away for some reason or another. I don't want to sound harsh, but I'm glad she wasn't involved, because I can't help but think she may have stuck out like a sore thumb acting-wise compared to the subdued but competent performances by most of the cast. Sorry, Brooke... :^/

 

Film Review - Avalanche Sharks [2013]

Seeing this film with only 2 stars on IMDb made me sad. Sure, this isn't a film that most will mention in the same breath as most big-budget wide-releases, but this film was, unlike too many of those films, truly enjoyable from beginning to end!

The film-makers and actors knew their limitations - technical and personal - and with tongues planted firmly in cheek, gave viewers a more than competent production that kept my attention at the way through and left me more that satisfied when over.

The script, direction and acting were decent all-around, and I can't recall any specific scene in the film that suddenly took me out of the story. Nothing seemed forced and nobody seemed to be trying to go above their means.

While the CGI special-effects are what they are - CGI - the film-makers smartly decided to limit its use, with the effects either ending abruptly or the scenes cutting away quickly. Most of these scenes are shark attacks after all, which would naturally be quick and abrupt.

Some people have problems with films not explaining enough about certain things. In this case, viewers are given two possibilities as to the origins of the titular sharks. But, do we really need everything to be explained to us (especially in a movie like this) to enjoy a film?

Questions can lead to debate after all and, in my opinion, can add extra layers to a film. And this is a film that most would not expect to have much substance to begin with. (The last big-budget film I saw at the cinema left me with nothing to think about when it was over. Duh...)

I really liked how they framed the beginning and end of the film. Original, funny, and a nice change of pace from most films. This production truly impressed me, and I look forward to what all the people involved bring to movie lovers in the future.

Give this film a chance. Don't go into it expecting anything in particular (my advice for seeing any film - big or small) and you'll likely find yourself pleasantly surprised by how much more FUN you'll have.

P.S. Apparently, Brooke Hogan was up for a role in this film but had to step away for some reason or another. I don't want to sound harsh, but I'm glad she wasn't involved, because I can't help but think she may have stuck out like a sore thumb acting-wise compared to the subdued but competent performances by most of the cast. Sorry, Brooke... :^/